JapanSoc / Top Stories

Meet the Emperor's English Teacher

claytonian — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:53:17 PDT

Found an a picture in the news about the young Akihito and his American tutor, Elizabeth Vining. She is a pretty interesting lady.

Posted by claytonian in Teaching English | Socs: 10

Residents voting to tear down the Nakagin Capsule Tower.

relic2279 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:33:35 PDT

How old does a building have to be before we appreciate its value? And when does its cultural importance trump practical considerations?

Those are the questions that instantly come to mind over the likely destruction of Kisho Kurokawa's historic Nakagin Capsule Tower.

Posted by relic2279 in History | Socs: 10

Model Nanami Dead at 29 - Japan Zone

JapanZone — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:59:00 PDT

A non-smoker and just 29, the beautiful Katsuno Nanami was an unlikely victim of lung cancer. And the fact that she was married just months before the disease was diagnosed makes it all the more tragic.

Posted by JapanZone in Celebrities | Socs: 12

Kimonobox, the movie?

kimonobox — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:49:26 PDT

Nothing better than making a movie to build the brand - and what a better place than this studio in Kyoto to shoot the kimonobox movie? ummm should I stop the day job?

Posted by kimonobox in Arts | Socs: 13

900-year-old Manga Choju Giga

Alex — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:10:33 PDT

A scrolling video of the first Japanese manga (this title is contested), Choju Giga.

Posted by Alex in Anime & Otaku | Socs: 10

What’s happening to Japanese boys? | BionicBong

bionicbong — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:30:24 PDT

We have a serious problem of fewer children in Japan these days. There are some causes of it, and today, I focus on Soushoku Danshi (Vegetarian Boys).

Posted by bionicbong in Culture | Socs: 14

Haikugirl’s Japan - Tanabata

Haikugirl — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:39:28 PDT

The Tanabata story, and some photos of Tanabata decorations in Nagoya.

Posted by Haikugirl in Culture | Socs: 12

Japanese School Gardens

Locohama — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:16:22 PDT

Maybe it's simply a cultural difference, but I find them very appealing for a number of reasons. For one, just as it's the student's responsibility to clean the school each day before they leave (a simple way to develop responsibility and respect for the premises, a dire inadequacy in the public sc

Posted by Locohama in General | Socs: 11

So You've Made it to Japan?

CraigScanlan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:39:05 PDT

So you made it to these hallowed shores of tentacle monsters and underwear vending machines.

But you can't just sit around chewing black-black gum all day while visiting maid cafes! You gotta work!

How do you wow your employers and clients so that you can maintain your lifestyle in this wacky

Posted by CraigScanlan in Teaching English | Socs: 14

our man in abiko votes for the Happiness Realization Party

KenYN — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:26:14 PDT

"No taxes. Shagging galore. Fun with Norks and Nukes and more English-speaking neighbours?"

They've got the upcoming election sewn up with these policies!

Posted by KenYN in Politics | Socs: 13

Cover Unwanted Bathroom Noises with OtoKun : Genki Robot

reesan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:38:06 PDT

You know the situation: There you are perched in a bathroom cubicle stall, or trying to quietly use the bathroom at a friends house. If only there was a way to easily mask those awkward bathroom noises... Never fear, OtoKun is here!

Posted by reesan in Technology | Socs: 16

Photos of rice paddy crop art

LucianF — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:25:18 PDT

New photos of excellent crop art (images created by arranging and growing different colors of plants)...

Posted by LucianF in Strange | Socs: 16

Japan warming to Twitter, Gachapin makes debut

shibuya246 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:24:58 PDT

Gachapin, the popular Japanese kids TV character, has already amassed over 8,800 followers in just 1 week since starting to use Twitter.

Posted by shibuya246 in Technology | Socs: 13

Meet the Mori Girls, A New Japanese Subculture

yokohamacat — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:01:32 PDT

A short but sweet article on the newly emerging street fashion dubbed 'Mori garu', a style becoming rapidly popular among the Tokyoite generation.

Posted by yokohamacat in Fashion | Socs: 16

Tokyo 'most expensive expat city'

Alex — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:15:25 PDT

The annual misrepresentation of expat lifestyle is out.

It wouldn't be as expensive if you actually measured a lifestyle that reflects a typical Japanese household in Tokyo.

Posted by Alex in News | Socs: 23

New North Korean missile tests should concern Japan

ukfishfingers — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:48:21 PDT

North Korea's launch of seven ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on July 4 have certainly raised fears here. Maybe it is time to face facts that US is key to countering Pyongyang's potential nuclear threat to Japan.

Posted by ukfishfingers in News | Socs: 12

The Real Crisis Facing Japan: Part 3 The Solution?

Japanian — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:55:03 PDT

This is the final part of the 3 part series. It examines what Japan should do regarding its demographic issues.

Posted by Japanian in Society | Socs: 10

My Favorite Stops Along The Tohoku Shinkansen

mcalpine — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:35:57 PDT

A listing of six major stops along Tohoku Shinkansen that I feel are of interest when traveling in this region.

Posted by mcalpine in Sightseeing | Socs: 13

Useful Links for a First Trip to Japan

kailahana — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:33:18 PDT

Links and information for someone planning their first trip to Japan. Based on the author's experience.

Posted by kailahana in Sightseeing | Socs: 20

120,000 Pay Respects to Yujiro - Japan Zone

JapanZone — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:22:24 PDT

They called him the Japanese Elvis Presley. And when he can draw a crowd of 120,000 people more than 20 years after his death, you have to agree that is no exaggeration.

Posted by JapanZone in Celebrities | Socs: 10

The Karafuto dogs' story

Muza-chan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:18:04 PDT

The touching story behind the statuary group from the foot of Tokyo Tower.

Posted by Muza-chan in History | Socs: 13

Free Beer!!

mikesblender — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:11:19 PDT

I almost walked out of the supermarket with a bunch of these cans tucked under my arm until I realized that the 'free' on the label refers to the alcohol content, not the price. Before putting them back in disgust, I took a quick look at the label to try to get a better understanding of why anybo

Posted by mikesblender in Food and Drink | Socs: 17

Convenience stores see cigarette sales increase since Taspo launch

Nick — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:02:04 PDT

Remember Taspo, the age-verification card introduced last year to stop youngsters buying fags from cigarette machines? Well, convenience stores have seen continuous growth in tobacco sales since its introduction, suggesting many people haven't bothered getting a Taspo card, and possibly that young

Posted by Nick in Business & Economy | Socs: 13

I Speak Japanese – Japan focused Videos

jamaipanese — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:10:54 PDT

"I Speak Japanese" a cool video blog about all things Japan with 2 cool hosts.

Posted by jamaipanese in Learning Japanese | Socs: 12

Japanese Government a Sinking Ship? A Primer to the Issues

CraigScanlan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:07:48 PDT

The Japanese government likes to lives in a little bubble world all their own. It's as if they don't realize that the choices and decisions they make influence an entire country of people under them.

Here's a list of some current issues as a primer. I hope it encourages further exploration on th

Posted by CraigScanlan in Politics | Socs: 12

Tokyo & Yokohama - A High Speed Journey

TheTokyoOtaku — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:41:41 PDT

A very well done time lapse video taken in different locations around Tokyo and Yokohama. Shots of Shinjuku, Shibuyu, Akihabara, and Ginza can be seen. I'm also a fan of the shot of the Observation Deck of the Tokyo Met Building.

Posted by TheTokyoOtaku in Photography | Socs: 14

Japanese railway to make workers take "Smile Scan" test.

relic2279 — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:40:50 PDT

Keihin Electric Express Railway Co. has introduced a "Smile Scan" system to evaluate the grins of its station staff.

Posted by relic2279 in Work | Socs: 15

The Super Tuna

tokyotom — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:58:33 PDT

To meet the challenge of the slumping tuna stocks in the world's oceans, scientists from Japan will try to develop a new breed of tuna that will not only be stronger, but also taste better! I wonder how the public will react to genetically-engineered tuna considering vegetables are generally shunn

Posted by tokyotom in Food and Drink | Socs: 17

Japanese emperor visits Canada for the first time in 56 years

remino — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:29:14 PDT

The Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Ottawa Friday afternoon for an extended stay in Canada. They will visit major cities in the country during 11 days. The last visit of the Emperor in Canada was in 1953, when he was the Crown Prince.

Posted by remino in Politics | Socs: 14

A break from the weather, but rarely the clouds – Yufudake（由布岳）

bcookjp — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:20:04 PDT

Hiking description, directions, and photos of dormant volcano Yufudake in Oita Prefecture.

Posted by bcookjp in Nature & Outdoors | Socs: 11

Japansoc Blog Matsuri July Instructions

Michael — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:00:23 PDT

Spread the word - let's try to make this the biggest and most colourful matsuri yet!

Posted by Michael in Blogging | Socs: 23

The 1-million-yen 16 gigabytes

remino — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:52:00 PDT

The MNEMOSYNE, created by Italian-based designers Toshi Satoji and Katsuya Masaki, is a 1,000,000 yen USB storage piece embedded in a aluminium cube puzzle made just for you.

Posted by remino in Technology | Socs: 12

Japanese Superstitions

headingforjapan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:45:02 PDT

Last week my black cat died, So I did some research into Japanese superstitions, and I just want to let people know a few rules and facts about Japanese beliefs, and also get people to get thinking and reply so I can learn as well, to get some reciprocation happening.

Posted by headingforjapan in Culture | Socs: 14

Sex, lies and the history of the Japanese language

rainbowhill — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:40:23 PDT

I found the allegory of the Japanese family a little over extended in this Japan Times piece on the history of kanji, katakana and hiragana. Still an interesting read if you can follow it.

Posted by rainbowhill in History | Socs: 12

The Legend Behind Tanabata

ShaneS — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:59:33 PDT

Tanabata is celebrated every July 7th with colorful decorations and wishes hung on bamboo branches but do you know the legend behind it?

Read the tale of the two star crossed lovers who can only meet on this one night of the year and find out where you can take part in the festivities.

Posted by ShaneS in Sightseeing | Socs: 20

Hiking Japan's Largest Active Volcano

GaijinGuide — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:36:22 PDT

Aso-san (阿蘇山) in Kumamoto Prefecture is an active volcano whose eruptions formed the island of Kyushu (Japan's third largest island). It also holds the record for the world's largest volcanic caldera and is Japan's largest active volcano. Read about one hiker's experience and learn which trails

Posted by GaijinGuide in Nature & Outdoors | Socs: 16

Japan students rush for English-language education

James — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:01:34 PDT

Hundreds of schools have opened across Japan in recent years to prep a new generation of students who have their educational sights set far beyond Japan's shores, at the top universities of the West.

Posted by James in Teaching English | Socs: 13

Tokyo Panoramas - Click The Pics and Drag For 360 View

tokyotopia — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:26:43 PDT

This is a neat gallery of some of the most popular spots in Tokyo. You can click the pictures and drag them to get the 360 view of what's going on around. Neat.

Posted by tokyotopia in Sightseeing | Socs: 16

Is Japanese superior to English?

Locohama — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:34:24 PDT

The other day in English class I shocked a student by supplying her with a translation of the Japanese proverb "Even monkeys fall from trees." (The English-language proverb I used for the translation was "Even Homer sometimes nods.") The student seemed amazed that English had proverbs; she had

Posted by Locohama in Teaching English | Socs: 24

English RoboGeisha Trailer Scares World (Maybe also Scars)

CraigScanlan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:29:20 PDT

Found this trailer on filmdrunk:

"...there's the Geisha who kills a guy with shrimp tempuras to the eyeballs, another who transforms into a tank, and of course, the melting-of-adversary's-face-through-toxic-lactation."

WARNING: The trailer should be considered rated R, for strong...oh hell,

Posted by CraigScanlan in Film & Books | Socs: 19